Taurasi Talks Olympics

Mercury rookie guard Diana Tuarasi and former UConn teammate Swin Cash were added to the 2004 USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team that will compete in this summer's Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The following are exceprts from a media teleconference introducing the new Olympians held on Wednesday morning.

Diana Taurasi: It’s an honor. When I was a little kid I used to watch the Olympics and watch the U.S. play, and now to be a part of them and be on the court with them, and play with Swin and these other great players is just a tremendous compliment, and an honor. I’m truly excited to go out there and hopefully get a medal.

Question: It’s going to be a long summer for you and long year all the way around. Can you talk about the fatigue factor, in terms of adding the Olympics on now?

Taurasi: It’s definitely going to be a long summer. I just got through a college season, which goes six, seven months and then straight to the WNBA, and now to the Olympics. But I’m looking forward to it. I think I’ve prepared myself. A lot of it’s mental. How you handle it mentally really effects how you play and how you treat situations.

Question: What will it be like to get back together with some of your Connecticut teammates?

Taurasi: It’s just so great. In the training camp when we played against Japan and Swin, Sue (Bird) and I were on the court. It’s just fun to get back on the court (together), because when we’re on the court we have that great chemistry from playing together for two years. It’s just a lot of fun because it’s who I really care about. To be on the team with them means a lot.

Question: How was the experience of practicing with the Olympic squad in April?

Taurasi: At first I was a little nervous because whenever you join a new team, especially a team with veterans and great players, you really don’t know how to fit in. But, with them it was really easy. It made it easy for me to learn the plays. I pretty much learned everything in one practice. I had people talk me through stuff and they were willing to help me, which made it a lot easier for me. Once the game (against Japan) came around, that’s the fun part. When you play with great players, it’s easy. The adjustment was a little hard at first, but I think I worked my way into it.

Question: What will be the most difficult adjustment going up against international competition?

Taurasi: Swin and I played at a high level through college, so there will be a difference, but we’ll do a pretty good job of adjusting.

Question: Do you have any safety concerns?

Taurasi: I’m not really concerned. I’ve traveled with USA Basketball in the past. Things have always been taken care of and security’s always been good. I don’t see it as a problem once we get over there. A lot of people have questions about it, but I think once we get over there, security’s going to be tight and they’ll take care of us.

Question: What are your Olympic memories growing up?

Taurasi: I can remember the Dream Team of (1996), which kind of started the whole women’s movement, especially in basketball. So, I remember that team with Lisa Leslie and those guys. I grew up watching them play, so to be on a team with them is a dream come true and hopefully I can help them out.

Question: What type of impact do you feel you can make in the WNBA to get ready for the Olympics?

Taurasi: I’m not going to use the first part of the season as a practice. We’re going to go in there as a team and try to win some games. Playing in the WNBA, obviously the talent level is so deep; I definitely think it helps prepare you for the Olympics, which is in August. It will help me to prepare for the Olympics.

Question: How has your previous USA Basketball experience helped you in preparing for the week that you were with the team?

Taurasi: It helped me a lot. The great thing about USA Basketball is that I played with the USA Junior National Team in 2000 and I came back in 2004 and played for a week, and it’s the same people. It’s like a family. You’ve known these people for a lot of years, so when you come into a situation like that, you feel comfortable from the get-go. The week that I spent with them was very comfortable. I felt like I was part of the team, which, as a player, makes you feel good.

Question: I don’t know if anyone has ever had a five-week stretch like you are in the process of having. Can you talk about this whole stretch, winning your third National Championship, beginning your pro career and now being named to the Olympic team?

Taurasi: The last five weeks haven’t been easy on me. it started in New Orleans with the national title, then two days later I was with the Olympic team for a week. I’ve enjoyed it. You could look at it both ways. You could look at it as being so frustrating, because you don’t have any time for yourself. But I’ll never have this opportunity again, so I’m looking at it in a positive light and all these things are here for a reason, so I’m going to take advantage of them. I went through a spot where I was fatigued a little, but I’m fine. Training camp’s been going well. The opening of the season’s coming up so I’m excited about that.

Question: If Penny Taylor makes the Australian team, now that you guys are Mercury teammates, can you talk about what that will be like playing against her?

Taurasi: The other day, she got a Fed Ex and it was an Australian flag, so we had to go back and forth a little bit. Penny’s a great person and a tremendous player. She’s on the Australian team, so there will be a little competition there, but until we get to the Olympics I don’t think we’ll worry about that. Right now, we’re on the same team and we’re going try to bring success to the Phoenix Mercury. It will be fun.

Question: What’s the biggest adjustment so far in the WNBA?

Taurasi: I think just that the schedule is a lot different than the college schedule. Being at the gym the whole day and being mentally prepared for that is tough, but I’ve been in situations at school where you’re demanded a lot, not only physically but mentally, as well. That’s always the biggest change. Other than that, I’m used to the transition. The team’s great, we have really good chemistry right now and everyone’s driving towards a winning attitude, which we need right now.

Question: Would you be disappointed if any of your potential teammates pulled out of the Olympics like some of the men have?

Taurasi: Personally, I don’t see there being a greater sporting event than the Olympics. For me to say, “I’m not playing in the Olympics,” would be crazy and I’d never do that. But everyone has different situations and different circumstances that help make their decisions. The Olympics is the biggest stage and whenever you play for your country that serves more than any paycheck or anything else.